Sing For America, the theater group started by five singing siblings from Forks Township, presents “Narnia: The Musical,” Dec. 21 - Jan. 1, Westgate Mall, Bethlehem, in its Lehigh Valley premiere.

The show is a musical adaptation of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” the first of acclaimed British author C.S. Lewis’s series “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

With a book by Jules Tasca and music and lyrics by Thomas Tierney and Ted Drechman, “Narnia: The Musical” tells the story of four English siblings who are sent away from London during World War II to stay in the manor house of their uncle.

While there, they stumble upon a wardrobe that is a portal into the magical kingdom of Narnia.

Narnia is being held under the power of the White Witch, whose evil spell has frozen the land, so that it is “always winter and never Christmas.”

The children are befriended by talking animals who resist the Witch and await the return of Aslan, the great lion, who is their rightful ruler.

Aslan, who has long been absent from his land (so that some have even doubted his existence) has finally returned to confront the Witch. The children are soon caught up in a fierce struggle of good versus evil.

In the spellbound landscape, filled with creatures of myth and fable, the children face temptation and fear, but learn lessons of courage, unselfishness and wisdom that help them grow in spirit and prepare them for life in their own world.

Songs include the opening number “Doors and Windows,” the poetic “Narnia (You Can’t Imagine)” and the stirring “To Make the World Right Again.”

Sing for America was started in 2003 by sisters Taryn, Tasia and Teara Gilbert and brothers Jewel and Jorne Gilbert. Their productions raise money for local causes. The family has raised more than $62,500 for local causes to date. The siblings perform in, direct, choreograph and do costumes and set design for their shows.

“Our community needs hope. We need faith and love. And that’s why we chose ‘Narnia,’ an adventure we can take together with our neighbors and family.

“Many people are facing struggles or are in times of crisis. We all need this show and ‘Narnia’ will be a hallmark of this Christmas season,” says Taryn Gilbert, the eldest sibling.

“Narnia: The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 22, 27, 29; 1 p.m. Dec. 23, 31; 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28, 30; 2 p.m. Jan. 1, Westgate Mall, 2285 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem. Tickets: http://www.theartsarecolorblind.com ; 610-417-2189

“Noelle” revived:

Crowded Kitchen Players is reviving its critically-acclaimed original Christmas play, “Noelle,” Dec. 20 - 23, Charles A. Brown IceHouse, Bethlehem.

After a successful run last year, “Noelle” is returning with many of the same cast members.

This year, the show is performed as an old-time radio play in a coffee-house style theater on the second floor of the IceHouse.

The dark comedy, written and directed by Ara Barlieb, looks at issues facing the elderly.

Barlieb was inspired to write the play because the fastest-growing population by age in the United States and Pennsylvania is 65 years and older and there are not enough resources to serve this population.

“Noelle” is set at a Christmas Eve party in the home of an elderly grandmother, Noelle Whitlock (Sharon Ferry), who is facing mental and physical challenges.

When she displays a series of potentially serious lapses, Noelle’s concerned, but dysfunctional family insists that she can no longer remain in her home.

A string of relatives and friends, including a frustrated son, a lascivious pastor, a kind neighbor, a larcenous ex-daughter-in-law, and a county caseworker pressure Noelle to accept their well-meaning, but unwelcome intentions for her.

After she is tested for competence, and failed, by an intoxicated doctor, Noelle desperately wishes for someone to rescue her from the situation.

That’s when a charming but uninvited guest (Trish Cipoletti) appears at her door and presents Noelle with an alternative to her own desire to remain independent and to the family’s insistence that she move into assisted living.

“Noelle” includes adult language and situations.

Reprising their roles are Ferry and Cipoletti, along with Bruce Brown, Pamela Wallace, Dawn Daignault, Jerry Brucker, Scott Van Nortwick, Dan Ferry and Paula Klein. They are joined by newcomers Colton Boyd, Phuong Tran, Shelley Ann White, Denise Shelton and Thomas Epstein.

“Noelle,” 7:30 p.m. Dec 20 - 23. Tickets: https://www.ckplayers.com/ ; 610-704-6974

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com.